[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 179 (Monday, December 12, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1707]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





 HONORING THE 2017 ACADEMY NOMINEES OF THE 11TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 
                             OF NEW JERSEY

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, December 12, 2016

  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, every year, more high school seniors 
from the 11th Congressional District trade in varsity jackets for navy 
pea coats, Air Force flight suits, and Army brass buckles than most 
other districts in the country. But this is nothing new--our area has 
repeatedly sent an above average portion of its sons and daughters to 
the nation's military academies for decades.
  This fact should not come as a surprise. The educational excellence 
of area schools is well known and has long been a magnet for families 
looking for the best environment in which to raise their children. Our 
graduates are skilled not only in mathematics, science, and social 
studies, but also have solid backgrounds in sports, debate teams, and 
other extracurricular activities. This diverse upbringing makes 
military academy recruiters sit up and take note--indeed, many 
recruiters know our towns and schools by name.
  Since the 1830's, Members of Congress have enjoyed meeting, talking 
with, and nominating superb young people to our military academies. But 
how did this process evolve? In 1843, when West Point was the sole 
academy, Congress ratified the nominating process and became directly 
involved in the makeup of our military's leadership. This was not an 
act of an imperial Congress bent on controlling every aspect of 
Government. Rather, the procedure still used today was, and is, a 
further check and balance in our democracy. It was originally designed 
to weaken and divide political coloration in the officer corps, provide 
geographical balance to our armed services, and to make the officer 
corps more resilient to unfettered nepotism and handicapped European 
armies.
  In 1854, Representative Gerritt Smith of New York added a new 
component to the academy nomination process--the academy review board. 
This was the first time a Member of Congress appointed prominent 
citizens from his district to screen applicants and assist with the 
serious duty of nominating candidates for academy admission. Today, I 
am honored to continue this wise tradition in my service to the 11th 
Congressional District.
  My Academy Review Board is composed of local citizens who have shown 
exemplary service to New Jersey, to their communities, and to the 
continued excellence of education in our area; many are veterans. 
Though from diverse backgrounds and professions, they all share a 
common dedication that the best qualified and motivated graduates 
attend our academies. And, as true for most volunteer panels, their 
service goes largely unnoticed.
  I would like to take a moment to recognize and thank them publicly 
for participating in this important panel. Being on the board requires 
hard work and an objective mind. Members have the responsibility of 
interviewing upwards of 50 outstanding young men and women every year 
in the academy review process.
  The nomination process follows a general timetable. High school 
seniors mail personal information directly to the Military Academy, the 
Naval Academy, the Air Force Academy, and the Merchant Marine Academy 
once they become interested in attending. Information includes academic 
achievement, college entry test scores, and other activities. At this 
time, they also inform my office of their desire to be nominated.
  The academies then assess the applicants, rank them based on the data 
supplied, and return the files to my office with their notations. In 
late November, our Academy Review Board interviews all of the 
applicants over the course of 2 days. They assess a student's 
qualifications and analyze character, desire to serve, and other 
talents that may be hidden on paper.
  This year the board interviewed over 40 applicants. The Board's 
recommendations were then forwarded to the academies, where recruiters 
reviewed files and notified applicants and my office of their final 
decision on admission.
  As these highly motivated and talented young men and women go through 
the academy nominating process, never let us forget the sacrifice they 
are preparing to make: to defend our country and protect our citizens. 
This holds especially true at a time when our nation is fighting the 
war against terrorism. Whether it is in the Middle East, Africa or 
other troubled spots around the world, no doubt we are constantly 
reminded that wars are fought by the young. And, while our military 
missions are both important and dangerous, it is reassuring to know 
that we continue to put America's best and brightest in command.

         Academy Nominees for 2017, 11th Congressional District


                           Air Force Academy

       Jordan Behrle, North Caldwell, West Essex HS.
       James Coyne, Chatham, Chatham HS.
       Arielle Fortes, Parsippany, Parsippany HS.
       Kurt Hill, Pompton Plains, Pequannock HS.
       Erik Jensen, Mendham, Randolph HS.
       Noor Khan, Livingston, Livingston HS.
       Benjamin Lee, Sparta, Sparta HS.
       Pranay Malla, Chatham, Chatham HS.
       Matthew Manion, Morris Plains, Morristown HS.
       Michael Matarazzo, Cedar Grove, Cedar Grove HS.
       Jamie Moul, West Orange, West Orange HS.


                        Merchant Marine Academy

       Shane Arcilla, Cedar Knolls, Morris Catholic HS.
       Anthony Corso, Fairfield, West Essex HS.
       Kyle Frey, Sparta, Pope John XXIII HS.
       Travis Healy, Andover, Pope John XXIII HS.
       Matthew Russo, Cedar Grove, St. Peter's Prep.


                             Naval Academy

       Dean Caravela, West Caldwell, James Caldwell HS.
       Robert Dromsky-Reed, Kinnelon, Kinnelon HS.
       Caroline Duemling, Chatham, Chatham HS.
       Shannon Fashbender, Andover, Lenape Valley HS.
       Kyle Gonzalez, Wanaque, Lakeland Regional HS.
       Matthew Makuch, Lincoln Park, The Academy for Math, Science 
     and Engineering.
       Brandon Maravi, Wayne, St. Joseph's HS.
       Paul Malatesta. Chatham, Chatham HS.
       Emma Noury, Sparta, Sussex County Technical School.
       Steven Orciuoli, Livingston, Livingston HS.
       Brendan Reilly, Mendham, West Morris Mendham HS.
       Grace Sheehan, Fairfield, Mt. Saint Dominic Academy.
       Helena Seijas, Mountain Lakes, Mountain Lakes HS.
       Jake Siciliano, Fairfield, West Essex HS.


                            Military Academy

       Dylan Berrier, Lake Hopatcong, Morris Catholic HS.
       Andrew Bowlus, Carlisle Barracks, PA., Carlisle Area HS.
       Timothy Cieslak, Wayne, Wayne Valley HS.
       Michael Flanagan, Florham Park, St. Peter's Prep.
       Anthony Giachin, Livingston, Newark Academy.
       Wilson Maya, Madison, Morristown HS.
       Rebecca Morel, Mendham, Villa Walsh Academy.
       Ivan Peters, Boonton, Mountain Lakes HS.
       Matthew Rothman, Pequannock, Pequannock HS.
       Minkyu Yang, Livingston, Livingston HS

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